Qualitative Analysis
Flame Tests
Metal ion Flame color
Lithium, Li+ Red
Sodium, Na+ Yellow
Potassium, K+ Lilac
Copper, Cu+ Blue-green
Calcium, Ca+ Orange-red
Barium, Ba+ Light green
Test of Gases
Gas Test and Test result
Ammonia, NH3 Turns damp red litmus paper blue
Carbon dioxide, CO2 Turns lime water milky
Chlorine, Cl2 Bleaches damp litmus paper
Hydrogen, H2 ‘pops’ with a lighted splint
Oxygen, O2 Relights a glowing splint
Sulfur dioxide, SO2 Turns acidified aqueous potassium manganate(7) from purple to colorless
Solubility Rules
Type of salts Solubility in Water
Nitrates NO3 All are soluble
Halide: All are soluble except Pb and Ag
Chloride (Cl)
Bromides (Br)
Iodides (I)
Sulfates All are soluble except Pb, Ag, Ba, Ca
Carbonates (CO3) All are insoluble except Na, K, NH4
Oxides and Hydroxides All are soluble except Na, K
Cations All Na, K, NH4 salts are soluble
Test of Anion
Anion Test Test result
Carbonate Add dilute acid, then test for carbon dioxide Effervescence, carbon dioxide produced
Chloride Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver nitrate White ppt
Bromide Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver nitrate Cream ppt
Nitrate Add aqueous sodium hydroxide, then aluminum foil, warm carefully Ammonia
Iodide Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver nitrate Yellow ppt
Sulfate Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous barium nitrate White ppt
Sulfite Add a small volume of acidified aqueous potassium manganate Acidify aqueous potassium manganate, changes from purple to colorless
Test of cation
Cation Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide Effect of aqueous ammonia
NH Ammonia produced on warming, turns moist red litmus paper blue
Ca White ppt, insoluble in excess No ppt or very slight white ppt
Zn White ppt, soluble in excess giving a colorless solution White ppt, soluble in excess, giving a colorless solution
Al White ppt, soluble in excess giving a colorless solution White ppt, insoluble in excess
Cu Light blue ppt, insoluble in excess Light blue ppt, soluble in excess giving a dark blue solution
Fe (2) Green ppt, insoluble in excess ppt. turns brown near surface on standing Green ppt, insoluble in excess ppt. turns brown near surface on standing
Fe (3) Red-brown ppt, insoluble in excess Red-brown ppt, insoluble in excess
Cr Green ppt, soluble in excess Green ppt, insoluble in excess
Sadri notes
